NZ Dad on the Run? New CCTV Footage Sparks Wilderness Manhunt!
New Zealand authorities have released CCTV footage believed to show Tom Phillips, a fugitive father who has been on the run with his three children for nearly four years, and one of his children. The footage, captured at a store in Piopio, a small town on the North Island, has renewed efforts to locate the family who disappeared in December 2021.
Possible Sighting After Years in the Wilderness
The CCTV footage shows two individuals, believed to be Phillips and one of his children, breaking into a store around 2 a.m. on Wednesday. The pair are seen loading groceries onto a quad bike before driving away. This is the first confirmed sighting of Phillips in a year, fueling hopes that the long search may be nearing its end.
Detective Senior Sergeant Andy Saunders stated that police are appealing for information from anyone who may have seen the quad bike traveling or parked between Piopio and Marokopa. The incident took place at Piopio Superette. The owner reported that only milk was stolen, despite other items being on display.
A Father on the Run
Tom Phillips does not have legal custody of his children – Jayda, Maverick, and Ember – and is wanted on a range of charges including aggravated robbery and illegally possessing a firearm. Police believe the family has been living in the dense bush of the Waikato’s King Country and that Phillips may be receiving assistance from others to evade capture.
- Phillips and one of his children are believed to have unsuccessfully targeted the same store in November 2023.
- Police previously linked Phillips to a robbery at an ANZ bank in Te Kūiti in May 2023.
The primary concern remains the well-being of the children, who have been away from their home for an extended period. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the children's safety and return.
Authorities are also considering the implications of the burglary. Detective Saunders questioned whether it indicates a potential falling out with those who may have been assisting Phillips or if it reflects a growing confidence and brazenness on his part.